Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense? 

I continually strive to implement innovations within our team that improve efficiency. One example that cost only my time was the creation of a set of induction and process guidelines for the legal team. 

Initially, this was a repository of knowledge that a new starter would use to navigate processes and systems in the company that are applicable to our team. However, it has now grown into a framework with national application and is likely to be rolled out globally. What began as a Word document has developed into a website with multiple contributors actively seeking to share knowledge, seek consistency and stop us from reinventing the wheel. 

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in? 

Lendlease seeks to shape cities, reimagine communities, and create places for everyone. The development and communities legal team assists the business to realise that vision in respect of its urban developments (including mixed use commercial apartments and urban regeneration developments) and its suburban master planned communities.  

I have worked on several landmark projects, the most recent being the formation of a joint venture with Mitsubishi Estate Asia to acquire the One Circular Quay development in Sydney for $800m for development. One Circular Quay will comprise a luxury residential tower and Australia’s first Waldorf Astoria hotel. Apartment sales have now surpassed $1bn in value and the build is well underway.  

What is a cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about, and why? 

I enjoy working in property because you can see the product that we are working with and witness how those places are used and enjoyed by communities. I care about the impact that development has, both in respect of the way that it can shape cities but also in respect of the impact that it can have on land and communities and how this is balanced. 

I sit on the Property Reconciliation Action Plan working group and have sought to apply my skills to assist Lendlease to achieve its RAP goals, for example by working with the team and external counsel to prepare an indigenous cultural and intellectual property toolkit for the project teams together with culturally appropriate drafting that can be implemented into consultancy and works agreements. I am proud of the stance that Lendlease takes in pushing its Elevate RAP forward and being bold and public with its support for change.